Improvement in modes of discharging projectiles



A. B. COOLEY. Projectile.

Patm'lted June 17, 1862.

I Z- M I Z- l L UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

A. B. COOLEY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT lN MODES OF DISCHARGING PROJECTILES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 35,587, dated June17,1862.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, A. B. CooLEY, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, haveinvented a Mode of Discharging Projectiles; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters ofreference marked thereon.

My invention consists in a solid cylinder adapted to fit into an orificein a shot or shell, and combined with a shield to obstruct the injuriousproducts of the ignition of the powder contained between the end of theorifice in the said shot or shell and the end of the cylinder.

In order to enable others to practice my invention, I will now proceedto escribe the manner of carrying it into effect.

On reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of thisspecification, Figure 1 is a side view, partly in section, of the shelland the base from which it is discharged; Fig. 2, a sectional plan onthe line 1 2, Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 a rear View of part of Fig. 1.

The shell A has, as regards its external form, an elongated taperingrear,with apointed head, as seen in Fig. 1. In the tapering rear of theshell is a circular orifice of the same diameter throughout, and adaptedto receive the eyliir drical stem 1), which projects from and forms apart of the base 13. In the present instance this base is of ahemispherical form, and has two trunnions, a, which fit in and areguided by project-ions e c on a block, 0, in which is a concave recess,for receiving the hemispherical port-ion of the base B. A bell-shapedshield, d, surrounds the stem 1), the space between the shield and thestem being more than sufficient to freely admit the tapering rear of theshell. The head of the shell has a chamber for containing the charge,which can be exploded by means of the usual time-fuse or by percussion,this chamber being separated by a solid partition, xi, from the orificewhich receives the stem b. The powder m for discharging the shell iscontained between the end of the stem and the end of the orifice in theshell, and this powder may be exploded by means of the usualcannon-primer inserted in the touclrhole .r, the shell the moment thedischarge occurs talc; ing a course determined by the position to whichthe stem b has been adjusted.

Between the powder m and the end of the stem intervenes a wad, n, whichserves the twofold purpose of maintaining the powder in its place whenthe shell is detached from the stem, and of forming, by beingcompressed, a packing for preventing the escape of explosive gases whenthe discharge takes place. As the shell leaves the stem b, the smoke andother products of the discharged powder will be forced in a directioncontrary to the course of the shell, and would have a tendency to injurethe gunners but for the shield 01, which forms an effective barrieragainst the reaction of the injurious products of theignition of thepowder.

I p ropose in some instances to load the orifice oi' the shell partlywith ordinany powder and partly with the composition with which rocketsare charged, a body of this composi tion being packed into the end ofthe orifice,

composition and the end of the stem b, the powder being sufficient inquantity to discharge the shell and the composition ignited by theexplosion of the powder acting with the same cifeet as in ordinaryrockets, and continuing to propel the shell in the coursein which it hasbeen directed by the powder after the force imparted by the latter hasbeen spent.

The base B may be varied in form, and may, wit-h its stem and shield, behung to ablock or carriage in the same manner as'ordinary mortars,although I prefer forming the base with a hemispherical rear andallowing it to rest in a concave recess of the block, in which it can beadjusted by means of a worm, y, gearing into teeth u on the base, or byany other suitable appliances. The block 0 (shown in red lines) presentsa solid foundation, with which the base is always in contact, theprojections e merely serving as guides and not as bearings for thetrunnions.

As the tapering rear of the shell has to resist the force of the powder,great strength of metal is necessary near the point where the charge isdeposited. This strength may be in creased, and at the same time theshell may be diminished in bulk by the use of wrought-iron bands.

Spi ral projections may be made in the cylindrical stem andcorresponding spiral grooves in the orifice of the shell should it bedesirable to impart a rotary motion to the latter.

I do not desire to claim, broadly, discharging a shot or she'll from asolid cylinder arand the powder being deposited between the ranged to[it in an orifice in the said shot or I In testimony whereofIhave signedmy name shell, as this mode of discharging projectiles to thisspecification in the presence of two subis illustrated and described inpage 60, volume scribing witnesses. 60, Mechanics Magazine, 1854; but

I claim as my invention and desire to secure A. B. COOLEY. by LettersPatent The solid cylinder 1), adapted to fit into the Vlitnesses: shotor shell A, and combined with the shield HENRY HoWsON, d, substantiallyas and for the purpose herein JOHN NVHITE. set forth.

